Many customers seem confused about which Surface Pen features work on which Surface devices. The table below summarizes compatibility between different pen generations and Surface device models. Pressure sensitivity, latency, initial activation force, and tilt functionality are detailed using best available information.

Disclaimer: This information is subject to change if/when Microsoft releases additional details; some assumptions about the implementation are based on n-Trig/Microsoft patent filings.

How to read the table:

256, 1024, or 4096 indicates the number of pressure sensitivity levels available when using the pen and device model together. (256=8-bit, 1024=10-bit, 4096=12-bit.) In practice, many customers will not notice a difference in the pressure sensitivity given limited hand dexterity and the dynamic range compression/ clamping side-effects of many software applications. The available pressure levels depends on a combination of the pen, digitizer hardware, and device drivers.

Tilt indicates that the Surface device has an accelerometer and the Pen incorporates some device enabling the Pen/Ink API to detect the angle of the pen with respect to the screen. According to n-Trig patent filings, this device could be an accelerometer, gyro, or a secondary radio emitter positioned such that the digitizer can infer the pen orientation. This allows software to change brush strokes on-the-fly based on the tilt of the pen. Even without the tilt feature, RF triangulation can enable the digitizer system to recognize gross orientation of the pen (right-handed use vs left-handed use for example) to optimize the tracking behavior. Assuming the user rests their palm on the screen, palm-rejection can also help optimize tracking behavior.

21ms, 40ms, 55ms, 75ms, or 100ms indicates the minimum digitizer->screen latency. Real-world latency may be up to 50ms higher depending on the software being used, the refresh rate of the screen, and the timing of the pen event with respect to the refresh of the current frame. Assuming worst case at a 60Hz screen refresh rate, you can conservatively add 16.67ms (the time it takes to render one frame) to each of the quoted figures to get a more realistic latency. Device driver and software application updates can significantly alter the latency behavior making responsiveness better or worse.

9g, 10g, 21g, or 42g indicates the approximate initial activation force (IAF) in grams which is the minimum amount of pressure applied to the tip of the pen to register as a stroke on-screen. Less force is better for light strokes of the pen – but too little IAF can result in unwanted strokes. This is a crucial tuning factor for any pen/digitizer system. The ideal IAF is highly subjective depending on the artist. Typically Wacom designs have an IAF of 1-10 grams while n-Trig designs are on the order of 10-50 grams. With each generation of n-Trig pens, the IAF has decreased. To compare IAF across pen manufacturers, each pen design must be mounted and tested on the same test rig at a variety of angles since the response may be different in a vertical orientation compared to a natural writing angle depending on the mechanical implementation.

n-Trig Ver.2 pens shipped with the Surface Pro 3 and was an optional accessory for the Surface 3.

n-Trig Ver.3 pens shipped with the Surface Book, Surface Studio and Surface Pro 4 (except m3 model). It is an optional accessory for other models.

n-Trig Ver.4 pens are optional accessories designed for the 2017 Surface Pro but also work on other models.

Two Surface Hub pens based on the Perceptive Pixel (PPI) digitizer technology are shipped with each Surface Hub.

Replaceable pen tips?

n-Trig Ver.2 pens have a replaceable tip. Replacement tips are available and may be swapped from other pen manufacturers.

n-Trig Ver.3/Ver.4 pens use a differently shaped tip than Ver.2 pens. They come with a tip that has a similar writing feel to HB pencils. Microsoft sells a 4-pack of tips each simulating the writing feel of 2H, H, HB, and B pencils. Depending on the region of sale, some customers have noted that as of September 2017, V2 tip kits only include 3 tips (2H, HB, B).

Swapping top and bottom half between pens? Can I just get a new top half?

Some customers like to re-use parts from a broken pen and mix and match colors. For example a blue bottom and sliver top. You can freely mix and match colors within the same generation of pen. Unfortunately, it is not possible to order half a pen from Microsoft.

Ver.2, Ver.3, and Ver.4 top and bottom halves are not designed to be interchangeable. Ver.2 has a screw-on top while Ver.3 and Ver.4 have slightly different spring tab configurations. The sizing and fastening is slightly different between Ver.3 and Ver.4 so even if you can get it to fit, you may ruin the internal tab that holds the two halves together.

What other pen/stylus brands work with Surface Pro 3 or later devices?

There is no known single root cause or magic fix. According to these threads, some customers theorize that issues are limited to specific tablet build dates/manufacturing lots but this has not been confirmed by Microsoft. If your device or pen has issues, call customer support and have your device swapped.

Does using an alternate pen solve the issue for you? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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12 thoughts on “Surface Pro Pen Compatibility / Interoperability FAQ”

Despite what the patent says, there are no accelerometers or gyroscopes in any tilt-sensing pen technology (Apple, Wacom EMR, Microsoft). Apple uses additional sensors that are perpendicular to the tip of the pen and analyzes the shape of the signal on the digitizer. Wacom EMR analyzes the shape of the signal on the digitizer without any additional emitters. Microsoft (according to the patent) added more emitters to create an asymmetrical signal on the digitizer, which then lets it calculate 3D orientation. Not a single one uses accelerometers or gyroscopes.

Thanks Jack. I misread the filing. I’ve updated the post accordingly to indicate n-Trig may be using one or more of these techniques. A secondary emitter makes a lot more sense given power consumption of an accelerometer/gyro package.

I just purchased a new surface pro having never had one before. The new pen seems a bit steep (im not an artist, just want a pen) so want to buy and old version of surface pen . Some information says the old pens are compatible with the new pro and other websites don’t. Any chance you can clarity?

I just had to upgrade from the first generation surface pro to the newest surface pro tablet. I keep reading that any pen should work like finger point touch in Microsoft 365 apps, but my old SP1 pen won’t work on newSP. Am I mistaken??
Thanks!

Got the surface pro 2017 with the pen shipped with the pro 3 model. The purple button Works perfectly but i cant write with it. Is There anything im missing? The AAAA battery is full btw. Thanks for your help. Cheers